Chinkara poaching case: Salman thanks fans for prayers, support

(IANS) Bollywood superstar Salman Khan thanked his fans and well-wishers for their support, after the Rajasthan High Court acquitted him in two cases of chinkara poaching.

The poaching incidents took place in 1998.

Salman had appealed before the Jodhpur bench of the high court challenging a lower court verdict of 2006 handing him a one year and a five-year jail term in the two separate incidents of poaching. On Monday, Justice Nirmaljit Kaur, while allowing the actor’s appeal, acquitted him of all charges.

Salman on Monday night took to Twitter to thank all.

“Thank you for your prayers and support,” the “Wanted” star wrote.

One of the animals was killed at Bhawad on the outskirts of Jodhpur on September 26, 1998, and the other at Ghoda Farms on September 28, 1998. Shooting for the film “Hum Saath Sath Hain” was on at the time.

This is the second time the 50-year-old has been acquitted in a criminal case.

Last year, the Bombay High Court acquitted him in 2002 accident case that killed one man and injured four others sleeping on a Mumbai pavement. The actor had been found guilty by a sessions court for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and sentenced to five years in jail.

Salman’s sister Alvira was present in the packed court room when the judgment was pronounced. His other sister Arpita Khan Sharma hailed the verdict.

“Thank you god for always showering us with your grace and blessings. Today is a big day for us… Salman Khan. Thank you to all bhais and the family’s well-wishers for your prayers, support, love and best wishes,” Arpita tweeted. “This wouldn’t have been possible without you.”